navy

[ney-vee]

noun

plural

navies 

1. the whole body of warships and auxiliaries belonging to a country or ruler.

2. (often initial capital letter),  the complete body of such warships together with their officers and enlisted personnel, equipment, yards, etc., constituting the sea power of a nation.

3. (often initial capital letter),  the department of government charged with its management.

4. navy blue.

5. Archaic.,  a fleet of ships.

adjective

1. belonging or connected to a navy; naval.

   navy vessels in the harbor;

   a navy officer with combat experience aboard a submarine.

2. of the color navy blue.

   Either tie will look great with your navy suit.

navy

/ ˈneɪvɪ /

noun

1. the warships and auxiliary vessels of a nation or ruler

2. (often capital) the branch of a country's armed services comprising such ships, their crews, and all their supporting services and equipment

3. short for navy blue

4. archaic,  a fleet of ships

5. ( as modifier )

   a navy custom

Other Word Forms

• pronavy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of navy¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English navie, from Middle French, from unattested Vulgar Latin navia, equivalent to Latin nāv(is) “ship” + -ia noun suffix ( -y ³ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of navy¹

C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin nāvia (unattested) ship, from Latin nāvis ship

Example Sentences

It is designed to take different weapons systems of a navy's choosing and to be built on a production line faster and more efficiently than past ships.

From BBC

The UK government announced over the weekend that it had agreed a £10bn deal to supply the Norwegian navy with at least five new warships.

From BBC

Multiple disaster response teams, along with the Indian army, airforce and the navy, are helping with the rescue operations.

From BBC

That commanding lead also applies to its navy.

From BBC

The UK has secured a £10bn deal to supply the Norwegian navy with at least five new warships.

From BBC